Bahian percussion
Surdo, repique, timbau and caixa — the foundation of the samba-reggae Salvador's blocos carried to the world.
Perfect for beginners, and drummers after the Bahian suingue.
See the online percussion course
Afro-Brazilian percussion · Salvador da Bahia
Play the drums of Bahia with a mestre who came up in the blocos.
In-person classes in Salvador — a group small enough to form one circle, and a plan built around you.
Small groups
Timbalada, 1996
No deposit to talk
Who teaches
Adson Junior "Pai de Santo"
Adson joined Timbalada in 1996. Since then he has shared stages with Carlinhos Brown, Marisa Monte, Arnaldo Antunes and Olodum and performed in 19 countries with show groups. More than a thousand students have passed through his hands. In class he teaches the suingue — the feel underneath the pattern — and corrects you on the spot, with the patience of someone who has watched every beginner rush the same beat.
The Meaning
OPANIJÉ /o-pa-nee-jeh/ — a traditional Afro-Brazilian rhythm. The school carries the rhythm's name because that is what a class is: the tradition passing from hand to hand.
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What you learn here
Pick your way in
Samba de Roda
The circle of the Recôncavo, UNESCO-listed heritage: pandeiro, viola, handclaps and the call-and-response of the chula.
Perfect for musicians, and anyone drawn to samba at the root.
Read the samba-reggae guide
Candomblé and the sacred drum
The atabaques, the orixás, and what this Afro-Brazilian faith gave the music of Bahia — a guided study, respectful and never staged.
Read the guide
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Where we play
The city is part of the class
Sign-ups open
São Paulo
Workshops with Junior “Pai de Santo”
Ateliê Tambores Zé Benedito · Rua Teodoro Sampaio, 888 · Pinheiros
Thu 22/10/2026 atabaque · Fri 23/10/2026 timbau · 7–9 pm · weekly classes through November (next dates being confirmed)
R$ 100 per class · R$ 180 for both in the same week
30 spots per class
Sign up for the workshops
Dates by conversation — message us on WhatsApp
Salvador
Home of the blocos afro
Small groups · Beginner to advanced
From the bloco to samba de roda
Message on WhatsApp
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Class formats
No price list. Just a plan that fits your life.
Group class
The price comes out of the conversation: group size, frequency, schedule.
No deposit to talk. We plan first — you decide after.
Groups matched by experience level
Instruments and transport arranged per class
Times set together with the group
Private class
At your paceSolo or in a pair, on the time you actually have.
Tell us where you're headed — we'll build the plan around it. No deposit to talk
The mestre's full attention
Scheduling that follows yours
A video of your class to practice with
Questions, answered
Do I need any experience?
None at all. Most students start as complete beginners, and we group classes by level so you're always with the right people.
What should I bring?
Comfortable clothes and water. We take care of the instruments — and transport, when it's needed, goes into the plan.
How much does it cost?
There's no price list — it depends on the format, the group and how often you play. Send us a message and we'll settle it together. No deposit to talk.
Where are classes held?
Regular classes are in Salvador; the exact spot depends on your group and format, and we confirm it when we talk. Workshops in other cities are listed above, with date and venue.
Let's plan your first class
Ready to play?
Send a message with your level and how much time you've got — we'll come back with a concrete class plan.
No deposit to talk
Instrument sorted — just show up
Prefer email?
Leave your email and we'll write you about how classes in Salvador work.